All smiles, I know what it takes to fool this town
I'll do it 'til the sun goes down
-Sia-

The student newspaper office at Korea National University was full of energy and a bit chaotic. The editorial team was focused and working hard to finish their project before graduation and the upcoming summer break.

Sullyoon, Leeseo, and their new Japanese friend Kaito Nakamura walked in, laughing and talking. All three were students in their last year of the Media and Communications program.

Kaito smiled, his long black hair around his thin face, and his dark eyes shining behind his silver round glasses, “I can’t believe we have finished our undergraduate studies.” Right now, I'm going to work and study for my online postgraduate degree," he stated while waving to the enthusiastic girls in the office.

Leeseo smiled and said, "I'm really excited to work at my favorite TV station... I can buy my own apartment away from my controlling parents."

Sullyoon smiles gently, "I'm going to be part of the Hankook newspapers internship for a month, and who knows, I might get a post after a successful internship."

Leeseo chuckled softly, "If I were you, I'd namedrop my famous brother. You will instantly get a permanent position." She clicked her tongue.

Sullyoon smirked but nodded, "No thanks; I want to pave my way. I hate nepotism in careers; it stems from those who truly worked hard and are talented. So, no thanks. Being unnoticed is best for me."

Kaito chuckled, "True, but it's difficult in the job market these days. I'm glad to embrace nepotism. My aunt's advertising agency needs me, " he smugly informed.

Sullyoon was preparing to graduate as a sports journalist, Leeseo was studying broadcasting, and Kaito was focused on advertising. The trio was brimming with anticipation, excited about finishing their studies and stepping into the real world.

Leeseo had already secured a job at SBS television, while Kaito was set to return to Japan to work as a marketing manager at an advertising agency.

The group knew about Sullyoon's famous brother, Namjoon, a star athlete for the well-known and legendary Argentinian squad, but she never rode on his fame, never namedropped. Most of their peers had no idea they were even related. Sullyoon preferred it that way; she wanted to carve her path. Namjoon tried to buy her a luxury apartment in Gangnam-gu and a sportscar. But she doesn't want to get noticed so early in her career, coming to work in a flashy car when she is a low-level worker. She might get bullied, or her efforts would be undermined.

Her life, however, hadn't been easy. Sullyoon's mother had passed away in a tragic accident, together with her best friend, Namjoon's mom. She passed away from multiple injuries, but the paramedics could save her unborn child, Sullyoon but then shortly after giving birth, she died. Even more devastating, Namjoon's mother and his baby sister, Minji, had also lost their lives instantly in the wreckage.

Sullyoon was taken in as a baby by Namjoon's father, a prosecutor, who adopted her immediately since he and Namjoon's mother had been named her guardians. When the accident happened, Namjoon was still a toddler at home with his dad.

Their Argentine maternal grandmother stepped in to help their grieving father raise the kids, taking Namjoon, nearly three at the time, and the newborn Sullyoon to Buenos Aires. The siblings spent their first twelve years there before returning to Seoul for high school.

S

ullyoon often said she liked Argentina more than Seoul because of its warm culture and lively atmosphere. Their father came to see them every month to show he cared, even though he was quietly sad about losing his baby daughter and wife after just five years of being married. He couldn't find Sullyoon's real dad because her mom never told him who he was.

When they got older, Namjoon's father told them the sad truth: the crash was not an accident. Sullyoon's and Namjoon's moms were both political reporters working on a case about a corrupt government official. They died while having evidence that could have taken the man down, but the proof was mysteriously gone. Sullyoon first dreamt to be a political journalist like her mother. After finding out what happened to her mother, she chose to pursue sports journalism instead.

She loved soccer, and with Namjoon helping her with guidance, she discovered what she was good at—although her brother wouldn’t share anything about Jimin, which made her a little disappointed.

Jimin, who is on the same team as Namjoon, was Sullyoon's secret crush, but she would never admit it loud. Sullyoon learned one thing from Namjoon: Jimin was dating a beautiful platinum blonde model who used to be a Miss Argentina. Even though the news made her sad, she still felt really proud of her long-time crush. He achieved a lot, but he was always well-known, popular  and very skilled in school.

When she heard him talking in Spanish with Namjoon, she wanted to talk to him in their language, but she didn't want to draw attention to herself. She always felt self-conscious about her big bunny teeth and full lips. She didn't feel pretty at that time because of her big glasses.

She couldn't see well without her glasses, but they made her feel safe. One time, she felt extremely embarrassed when her confidence took a big hit. Namjoon's teammate said something mean about her round cheeks and crooked teeth, saying she wasn't considered pretty at all. He said she was very unattractive.

She cried in the restroom until her brother found out and smacked the boy on the nose. Since that day, his nose was crooked. His parents got mad at him for being disrespectful to a girl.

Jimin was really cute; what she noticed about him was his kindness and charm. She adored him a lot, but he was very distant and didn't notice her. But she didn't care; she liked him more. She thought about his last day at school; she nearly got caught in his senior class when she put the note and white rose between his books on his desk. It was a close call. She and Leeseo watched how he reacted from their hiding spot under the window.

She often wished she could send him a simple message to bridge the gap between them, but she kept those feelings locked away. No one knew about her quiet admiration for the famous star, and she was certain Namjoon wouldn't be pleased if he discovered she still harboured feelings for Jimin.

She never even tried dating, well, only once in her senior year behind her brothers' back. She dated a boy from Switzerland; his dad was also a diplomat, and after two months of dating, they had to move to another country for service. He was a hot science nerd but lacked everything that Jimin got.

Sullyoon recently won a prestigious award for students: Top Female Sports Journalist of the Year. Her crowning achievement was an exclusive interview with Namjoon's legendary coach, Lionel Messi. With her brother's help, she prepared ten thoughtful questions, all of which Messi kindly answered. He even posed for a few photos and expressed his excitement about meeting Sullyoon in person when she visited Argentina. He has great respect for Namjoon.

Though she secretly pined for Jimin, Sullyoon had only met a handful of Namjoon's close teammates, including Taehyung and Niki. She had also shared a pleasant lunch with Namjoon, Niki, and Niki's girlfriend, Lucia—a charming Spanish physiotherapist a year her senior. Despite her busy schedule, Sullyoon found Lucia's company refreshing, though she regretted not having more time to reconnect with her old school friends.

That morning, Sullyoon stepped into the bustling student newspaper office, her spirits high by the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Over by the kitchenette, Leeseo and Kaito were already enjoying espressos and chocolate-dipped croissants. The newly appointed 3rd year editor, Wonyoung, greeted them with a bright smile.

"Wow, you three are early today! Is it because you're graduating?" Wonyoung teased, her laugh as light as the morning air.

Sullyoon settled into her desk chair, brushing off the comment with a shrug, "I just want to polish the final touches on my article." She opened up her laptop. Her table was an organised mess.

"This issue is going to be amazing," Wonyoung said with a glimmer of excitement. "It's a roundup of all the year's accomplishments from every department. If we push hard, the printers said they could finish it two hours early."

At a nearby desk buried in notes, Heyrin, a red-haired feature writer, smirked, "I can't wait for summer break," she said, pushing a stray paper aside. "My family and I are heading to Jeju Island for three months. Whoopee!"

Leeseo, lounging at another desk with her coffee, sighed wistfully, "I wish I could join Sully in Argentina for the summer. But no way—my dad's making me finish an extra credit paper to graduate with honours. I'm stuck here for a week or two."

"

Sullyoon chuckled, "Don't stress. Your ticket's open. Once you're done, you can join me anytime. Kaito's heading back to Osaka anyway."

Kaito pulled a face. "Yeah, for the most boring family reunion ever. My great-grandma is turning ninety-six, so the entire clan has to show up for a massive portrait. We'll be stuck in some rural village for weeks. No wifi reception. Kill me now."

Leeseo and Sullyoon burst into laughter, the camaraderie easing the weight of their looming goodbyes. Despite the deadlines and bittersweet moments ahead, the office buzzed with warmth, friendship, and the promise of bright futures.

Sullyoon glanced around the busy newspaper office with a soft smile. The desks, a mismatched collection of old university furniture, stood alongside quirky chairs, giving the room a unique charm. Her eyes drifted to the corkboard on the wall, a messy but familiar sight. It was covered in colour-coded calendars, scribbled sticky notes with half-baked ideas, and a few sarcastic cartoons meant to lighten the mood.

Her smile grew as laughter echoed from the corner. The layout team, mostly fellow final-year students, were huddled together, tweaking the newspaper's design at the last minute. Their energy and teamwork filled the room, and Sullyoon couldn't help but feel nostalgic. She was going to miss this place.

Sullyoon rechecked her laptop at her desk, reviewing her article for the sports section. The piece highlighted the university's athletic achievements that year, with a unique feature on Ahyeon, a former classmate. After beating contestants from over twenty other universities, Ahyeon had recently won Miss University Korea, a huge honour for the school. She would be featured on the front page—a well-deserved spotlight for the campus queen.

But Ahyeon's success brought mixed feelings for Leeseo. Two years ago, Ahyeon had transferred to the fashion department and caught the eye of Leeseo's then-boyfriend, Jungwoon, a star tennis player. Jungwoon soon ended things with Leeseo and began dating Ahyeon, and the couple has been inseparable ever since. While they seemed happy, the breakup had left Leeseo heartbroken, and it was still a sensitive topic. Sullyoon had learned to tread carefully around it.

The office buzzed with activity as everyone worked to meet the deadline. The hum of the printer broke through the chatter every so often. Four hours later, the final issue of the newspaper was ready. Sullyoon let out a relieved sigh, feeling lighter. Her work was done, and now it was time to move on. In a few hours, she'd be flying to South America. Her dad was driving her to the airport, and she couldn't wait to see Namjoon and her grandparents again.

Her grandparents, a retired Spanish professor and a celebrated chef, held a special place in her heart. Her grandmother, a renowned cookbook author and occasional guest on Spanish cooking shows, had always inspired her.

Back at her dorm, Sullyoon found Leeseo and Kaito planning a team dinner at a fancy BBQ spot in Gangnam. She kindly declined, wanting to focus on getting everything ready for her trip.

Most of her things had already been sent home with her dad, and Leeseo had promised to take care of the rest, including her posters and dorm decorations. Since Leeseo stayed on campus for a few more weeks, anything left behind could easily be picked up later.

As Sullyoon zipped up her Louis Vuitton suitcase, a gift from her brother, her iPhone buzzed with a message from Namjoon. Smiling softly, she opened it. Their chats were almost always in Spanish, a language they both felt at ease with. She was excited to catch up with him before her flight.

......

"Hey, Sully-girl, are you on your way yet?" Namjoon's voice sounded full of excitement.

Sully grinned as she dragged her suitcase out of the dorm, "Joonie! Hi. Dad's waiting for me outside. We're grabbing lunch first; then, he'll take me to the airport. He wants to spend a few hours with me before the flight. Dad feels a little concerned about me going away for so long. Are you all set to take on Sweden tomorrow? Argentina is the best for me. You guys have technical skill, creativity, and attacking flair, but Sweden has discipline, and they have great teamwork. So never underestimate your opponent."

Namjoon chuckled, "Yeah, true, sis, our team is in top form. It's been intense training, but we're all hopeful. Messi is a very great coach. Sully, I can't wait to see you. Grams already has a packed itinerary planned for our break, but our formidable coach still has a few days of training schedule, even if it's our off-season break. We still have three games to qualify for the FIFA World Cup."

Sully's voice brimmed enthusiastically: "I'm rooting for you guys! I pray you qualify for the World Cup—you've worked so hard. And imagine you holding that FIFA trophy! I've missed Grammes and everyone so much. It's been months!"

Namjoon laughed, "We'll be there for your graduation. Sis, don't worry. And have you thought about working for a Spanish sports magazine in Buenos Aires? You'd be amazing here. I can buy you your apartment here." 

Sully took a deep breath. "Joonie, I don't want to be some nepo-baby riding on my brother's fame to get into competitive publications. I want to earn my place. After graduation, I've got an internship lined up with Hankook Ilbo in Seoul. I'll stay home with Dad since it's close to the newspaper office. I love Argentina, but all my friends and dad are in Seoul."

Namjoon clicked his tongue. "Alright, I'll respect your decision. But hear me out—while you're travelling with us, Messi suggested you could join our admin staff and maybe write daily updates for news outlets. It'd be some extra cash before you officially enter the job market.

Sully let out an excited squeal, "Oh! My goodness, that's incredible! Does this mean I'd get to ride on the team bus?" She couldn't believe it.

Her excitement bubbled over. Being around Namjoon and, more importantly, her secret crush, Jimin, made her heart race; being a few feet away from him would be epic.

Namjoon laughed, "Enjoy your first-class seat because 25 hours on a plane is no joke. By the time you land, the match might already be over. I'll pick you up myself with my manager. But Grammes insists you come home—she's been cooking your favourite Argentinian dishes. She doesn't want you hanging around hormonal soccer stars constantly embroiled in scandals and headline news.

Sully giggled, understanding her grandmother's protectiveness. "No problem! We'll still have plenty of time to hang out. So, where are you heading next?"

"Europe," Namjoon replied," After the break, we've got qualifying matches in Finland, then Italy and France. Management has everything sorted for you, so we'll have some great adventures. I'll introduce you to the rest of the national squad. Niki's girlfriend will be here too. She wants to hang out with you, but there will be no clubbing, okay?

Sully laughed, "I can't wait to travel with you. Tell Lucia I'm in! I love meeting the Argentinian WAGs. By the way, will Hobi's wife be in Buenos Aires with those adorable triplets?

"She'll join us later when we play in Italy," Namjoon said. "She's tied up with a case right now, but hopefully, the kids will come along too. Seokjin also invited us to his 'Black Diamond' dinner. So you'll be plus one.

Sully couldn't help but smile. One of their star players, Hobi, lived in Mendoza but kept a luxury apartment in Buenos Aires for training. She hasn't met Seokjin and the other national squad yet. All she knows is that his celebrity Black Diamond dinners are epic, and they always make the lifestyle pages and TV programmes.

She hopes they will accept her. But Niki and his girlfriend, Lucia, like her. And then there was Jimin—he owned a luxury penthouse and a $25-million mansion in the city's most exclusive neighbourhood. She knows that because of research on soccer stars and their wealth.

They chatted a bit more about travel and vacation plans before hanging up.

Sully felt a rush of anticipation as she stepped into the dorm lobby, where her dad was waiting. When he saw her, a broad smile lit up his weary face."

⚽️⚽️⚽️

A/N: Sully is on her way to Argentina.

Thank you so much for the response in commenting or voting on this story. You are valued for every read, whether shadow or open voter. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

>

1. Do you think Sully will make more friends in Argentina?

2. Must Sully work in Argentina to be closer to Namjoon or stay with her dad and work in Seoul?

3. Do you think Sully was affected by the cruel remarks of Namjoon's previous. School soccer team?

4. Did Jimin and Taehyung feel the same way about her looks?

5. How do you feel about Leeseo and Ahyeon? 

Little eye candy🫠